Online entries for the Ironman 70.3 Mandurah event, which takes place on 19-21 October, are now open at ironmanmandurah.com. The website will feature all relevant event information and course details. Mandurah – the second-largest city in Western Australia approximately 45 miles (72 kilometres) south of the state capital, Perth – will become home to a new Ironman 70.3 event in Australia, thanks to government support announced last week.
Tourism Minister Dr Kim Hames said the new Ironman 70.3 Australian Professional Championship (APC) at IM 70.3 Mandurah would be the nation’s main qualifier for the Ironman World Championship 70.3 in the US, and would therefore attract a high quality field.
“Ironman 70.3 Mandurah will be the showpiece of the Australian Ironman 70.3 calendar and as such will be a great event to promote Mandurah, the Peel region and WA to the world,” Dr Hames said.
“The Ironman 70.3 Series is the fastest growing triathlon series in the world, with 59 events held in 24 countries that serve as qualifiers for the Ironman World Championship 70.3, set to take place [this year] at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada, on 9 September 2012. We expect Ironman 70.3 Mandurah to attract approximately 1,500 competitors and thousands of visitors to the Peel region, providing a tremendous economic boost.”
Western Australia already hosts the very popular Ironman Western Australia and Ironman 70.3 Busselton. World Triathlon Corporation (WTC), owner and operator of the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 Series believes WA is ideally placed to host a third major triathlon event.
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls also noted that Mandurah was geographically a perfect host city for the new Ironman 70.3. “The event requires athletes to complete a 1.9K swim, a 90K cycle and a 21.1K run, incorporating Mandurah’s beautiful waterways, foreshore and city centre,” Grylls said.
“Events like the Ironman 70.3 Mandurah really engage the communities that host them, and excite both visitors and locals alike.”
Funding to help get Ironman 70.3 Mandurah off the ground was part of a significant A$40 million Royalties for Regions investment over four years for regional events.
Ironman 70.3 Mandurah will offer a US$50,000 prize purse for the Australian Professional Championship and 40 age group qualifying slots for the 2013 Ironman World Championship 70.3.
Event organiser USM Events is committed to bringing the Ironman experience to as many regions across Australia as possible and Mandurah is seen to present a perfect location, course and with forwarding thinking stakeholders that see the great opportunity the event brings to the area.
“The Ironman brand is globally acknowledged and since its inception in 2007 the Ironman 70.3 series has become the fastest growing series in the world,” said Daryl Herbert, Managing Director of USM Events.
“Mandurah is well positioned to attract the local market, the timing also entices national participation and significant prize purse and Championship status ensure the professionals support,” Herbert added.
In February this year, Ironman brand owner WTC acquired USM Events, Australia’s leading event management company and the owner of iconic premier multisport festivals at Noosa, Cairns, Mooloolaba and Geelong. USM Events is also the operator of cycling’s Jayco Herald Sun Tour and the Sydney ITU World Championship Series triathlon event.
Hot on the heels of its acquisition of USM Events, WTC added Ironman Cairns to its 2012 line-up. In response, Challenge Family (which had previously worked with USM Events on its Challenge Cairns event) terminated its agreement with USM Events to deliver Challenge Cairns.
Ironman 70.3 Mandurah represents a further expansion of the Ironman brand in Australia. This year, Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie takes place on 28 October, a few days after the inaugural IM 70.3 Mandurah event on 19-21 October.
ironmanmandurah.com
www.usmevents.com.au
